The Los Angeles Clippers finally have a new owner as Shelly Sterling agreed to sell the team to Steve Ballmer late Thursday night!

The deal still needs to be approved by the league before it's official, but sources say NBA commissioner Adam Silver was well aware of Shelly's negotiations with Steve and will have no problem giving them the green light!

So how much did the former Microsoft CEO pay for the Clippers?? How about a whopping $2 billion!!

Steve released a statement on the huge deal, saying:

"I love basketball, and I intend to do everything in my power to ensure that the Clippers continue to win — and win big — in Los Angeles. L.A. is one of the world's great cities — a city that embraces inclusiveness, in exactly the same way that the NBA and I embrace inclusiveness. I am confident that the Clippers will in the coming years become an even bigger part of the community."

This isn't the first time Steve tried to break into the NBA, as he previously had a failed bid at purchasing the Sacramento Kings so he could relocate the team to Seattle! But don't worry L.A. fans, he already says he has NO plans to take the team up north!

Steve's $2 billion bid was the highest for the team by a long shot and is one of the highest prices ever paid for a North American sports franchise!

While we still need to wait for Adam Silver to give his stamp of approval, it's definitely exciting to know the Donald Sterling era in LA is FINALLY coming to an end! Good riddance!!